
Current Live Lessons
Apr 1, 2024
Lesson 4/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today we'll do a Breaking News English article as a follow up to our lesson about recycling of EV batteries.
UN warns of environmental e-waste catastrophe
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2403/240325-electronic-waste-catastrophe.html
Quizlet:
Mar 26, 2024
Lesson 3/5 60min
Hi Michael!
This lesson we'll discuss a news article:
Airline starts to weigh luggage AND passengers
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2403/240304-weighing-airline-passengers.html
Quizlet:
https://quizlet.com/891690589/airline-starts-to-weigh-luggage-and-passengers-flash-cards/
Here's an older article about Samoa Air's weighing of passengers
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1304/130404-airline_passengers.html
Mar 22, 2024
Lesson 2/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today we'll finish the article about
EV batteries: the green option that could be greener, and
We'll discuss the recycling of lithium batteries.
Quizlet:
Mar 18, 2024
Lesson 1/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today from Onestopenglish:
EV batteries: the green option that could be greener
A battery manufacturer is number 14 on the world's richest people!
https://www3.forbes.com/business/richest-people-in-the-world-2023-top-50-v3-2/51/
Mar 15, 2024
Lesson 5/5 60min

Hi Michael!
This time we will finish the lesson about Sheryl Sandberg
We'll highlight her background on Wikipedia and find out what she is doing now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheryl_Sandberg
NIE online political cartoon is in the pdf below on the left.
Mar 11, 2024
Lesson 3/5 60min
Hi Michael!
This time we have a Guardian lesson called $2bn woman:
how Sheryl Sandberg became one of tech’s most successful bosses
Guardian Newspaper article:
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheryl_Sandberg
Feb 26, 2024
Lesson 2/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today we'll read 2 more
Grammarman cartoons
Then we'll finish the TED lesson. We stopped on question 7.
Climate Reparations
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/climate-damage-how-and-why-rich-countries-should-pay-up
Feb 19, 2024
Lesson 1/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today we'll read some Grammarman cartoons,
actually comics is the better term.
Then we can try a cartoon from TED. It is a teded lesson. They have many topics.
I chose this one for today: Climate Reparations
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/climate-damage-how-and-why-rich-countries-should-pay-up
Feb 16, 2024
Lesson 5/5 60min
Feb 12, 2024
Lesson 4/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today we'll have some discussion about two topics: political cartoons
and Grammarman cartoons, actually comics is the better term.
Feb 6, 2024
Lesson 3/5 60min
Hi Michael!
We'll finish the Financial Times article about "sleeping on the job"
with the permission of the employer!
Quizlet
https://quizlet.com/878904261/employers-wake-up-to-the-power-of-a-staff-nap-flash-cards/?new
Also: Company pays its workers to sleep
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1607/160702-sleep.html
Feb 2, 2024
Lesson 2/5 60min
Hi Michael!
This Financial Times article talks about "sleeping on the job"
with the permission of the employer!
Quizlet
https://quizlet.com/878904261/employers-wake-up-to-the-power-of-a-staff-nap-flash-cards/?new
Jan 29, 2024
Lesson 1/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today we'll discuss the UK's education budget shortfall causing schools to turn to AirBNB for the funds they need!
Quizlet
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What are your thoughts on schools having to turn to unconventional sources like AirBNB to cover budget shortfalls?
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How do you think the UK's education system might be impacted by a budget shortfall?
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In your opinion, what are the essential elements that a country's education budget should cover, and how might a lack of funds affect these aspects?
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Do you believe there are alternative solutions to address the budget issues in the UK's education system, other than relying on external sources like AirBNB?
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How might the use of AirBNB funds impact the quality of education provided in schools?
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Do you think the government should take immediate action to address the education budget shortfall, or are there other stakeholders who should be responsible for finding solutions?
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In your country, have there been similar instances where schools had to resort to unconventional methods to cover budget shortfalls?
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What role do you think the community should play in supporting schools facing financial challenges?
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How can the UK government ensure a sustainable and adequate budget for education in the long term?
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What impact might a lack of proper funding have on teachers and their ability to provide quality education to students?
Jan 15, 2024
Lesson 5/5 60min
Hi Michael!
Today we'll discuss the UK's education budget shortfall causing schools to turn to AirBNB for the funds they need!
Jan 12, 2024
Lesson 4/5 60min
Hello Michael,
Our topic is from Breaking News English:
Muggers now targeting luxury winter coats
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2401/240108-winter-coat-muggings.html
Quizlet:
https://quizlet.com/870393793/muggers-now-targeting-luxury-winter-coats-flash-cards/?new
Dec 25, 2023
Lesson 3/5 60min
Hello Michael,
Today we'll discuss the clips fabout the topic of housing for
some people in the U.S. who are undergoing a financial crisis.
Here's a headline and the latest count of the homeless.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/homelessness-soars-record-high-america
What motivates individuals or families to become off-grid preppers in the U.S.?
Do you think the motivations are more rooted in a specific concern (e.g., natural disasters, economic collapse, political unrest) or a general desire for self-sufficiency?
Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency:
How do off-grid preppers prioritize sustainability in their lifestyle choices?
Is self-sufficiency achievable in the modern interconnected world, or does it require compromises?
Challenges and Risks:
What are the main challenges faced by off-grid preppers in the U.S.?
Are there inherent risks in being disconnected from mainstream infrastructure and services?
Community Building:
Do off-grid preppers tend to form communities or prefer isolation?
How does the sense of community impact their ability to thrive in an off-grid setting?
Legal and Social Considerations:
How do local and national laws affect the ability of individuals to live off-grid?
What is the perception of off-grid prepping in mainstream society?
Technology and Off-Grid Living:
How do off-grid preppers leverage technology while maintaining an off-grid lifestyle?
Is there a balance between embracing technology for efficiency and avoiding dependence on external systems?
Education and Skill Development:
What skills are essential for off-grid preppers to learn and develop?
How do they go about acquiring these skills, and what role does education play in their preparedness?
Economic Considerations:
What economic factors influence the decision to live off-grid?
Is off-grid living more feasible for certain economic classes, or is it accessible to a diverse range of people?
Emergency Preparedness vs. Sustainable Living:
To what extent do off-grid preppers focus on emergency preparedness versus long-term sustainable living?
How does this balance impact their day-to-day decisions and lifestyle choices?
Cultural Perspectives:
Are there cultural or regional differences in the prevalence and approach of off-grid prepp
ing in the U.S.?
How does cultural background influence the reasons people choose an off-grid lifestyle?
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What is a tiny house, and how is it different from a traditional house?
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Why do you think some people choose to live in tiny houses?
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a tiny house?
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How does the tiny house movement contribute to sustainability and environmental conservation?
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Do you think living in a tiny house is practical for families, or is it more suitable for individuals or couples?
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How might the tiny house movement influence the way we think about consumerism and material possessions?
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Can you think of any challenges people might face when transitioning to a tiny house lifestyle?
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In what ways can the design and layout of a tiny house impact the overall quality of life for its occupants?
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How does zoning and local regulations affect the ability of people to build and live in tiny houses?
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Do you believe the tiny house movement is a passing trend, or is it here to stay? Why or why not?
Dec 13, 2023
Lesson 2/5 60min
Hello Michael,
Today we'll watch short clips from 3 videos about the topic of housing for
some people in the U.S. who are undergoing a financial crisis.
1. Off-grid Preppers These people have moved to a remote piece of land and live in a cotttage or cabin with any connection to the electrical grid or waThey call themselves preppers and try to be ready for a calamity.
Dec 8, 2023
Lesson 1/5 60min
Fy Nyth, Wyoming
Incredible Tiny Homes, TN
Motorhomes everywhere
Nomadland, Nevada
Hello Michael,
Today we'll watch short clips from 3 videos about the topic of housing for
some people in the U.S. who are undergoing a financial crisis.
1. Off-grid Preppers These people have moved to a remote piece of land and live in a cotttage or cabin with any connection to the electrical grid or water lines. They call themselves preppers and try to be ready for a calamity.
2. The Tiny House Movement: Some are downsizing their lives and moving into tiny houses on wheels. There are more than 300 communities. Some tiny house channels have big numbers of views and subscribers on YouTube.
3. In downsizing, many people have tried RVs/motorhomes, but paying for
a space in a motorhome park is quite expensive, and full time motorhome life is difficult. There are many abandoned RVs. RV= recreational vehicle
4. Van Life People live in their van, truck or car. Their lives have been featured in a movie of the same name.
5. People living in their cars. This is one step up from living on the sidewalk.
In this documentary, a charitable organization has provided a parking lot for
those who live in their cars.
Dec 5, 2023
Lesson 5/5 60min
Hello Michael,
Today we'll discuss a new Guardian lesson:
‘A lifeline for dirty cars’:
EU backs new air pollution limits, but not until 2035
Nov 27, 2023
Lesson 4/5 60min
Hello Michael,
Today we'll continue the Guardian lesson:
Everything I hate is on Twitter – how can the alternatives compete?
Latest news:
Musk is suing Media Matters, Media Matters for America is a left-leaning 501 nonprofit organization and media watchdog group. It was founded in 2004 by journalist and political activist David Brock as a counterweight to the conservative Media Research Center.
The suit, filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Divison, alleges that Media Matters manufactured side-by-side images depicting advertisers' posts on X “beside Neo-Nazi and white nationalist fringe content.”
Nov 20, 2023
Lesson 3/5 60min
Hello Michael,
Today we'll discuss a Guardian lesson:
Everything I hate is on Twitter – how can the alternatives compete?
Warning: This is not a balanced article, rather it is a strong anti-Twitter and anti-Musk piece displaying leftwing, liberal and woke ideologies. It is surprising that The Guardian has presented this op ed piece as a news article to be used for an English lesson
An op ed piece is a short newspaper column that represents the strong, informed, and focused opinion of a writer on an issue of relevance to a targeted audience. It is a written prose piece which expresses the opinion of an author or entity with no affiliation with the publication's editorial board. Wikipedia
woke politically liberal or progressive (as in matters of racial and social justice) especially in a way that is considered unreasonable or extreme
Nov 7, 2023
Lesson 2/5 60min
Hello Michael,
We'll finish Trial and error paves the way to success
TSLA Tumbles After Musk Warns Of "Enormous Challenges" Reaching Cybertruck Volume Production
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/tsla-shares-rise-ai-cybertruck-optimism-after-top-bottom-line-miss
Political cartoon about SpaceX
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://nieonline.com/cftc/pdfs/20180212spacex.pdf
Quizlet
Oct 23, 2023
Lesson 1/5 60min
Hello Michael,
Trial and error paves the way to success
TSLA Tumbles After Musk Warns Of "Enormous Challenges" Reaching Cybertruck Volume Production
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/tsla-shares-rise-ai-cybertruck-optimism-after-top-bottom-line-miss
Political cartoon about SpaceX
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://nieonline.com/cftc/pdfs/20180212spacex.pdf